According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of (some form of) physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetimes. Many times there are children and animals in the family too who also become victims of the situation. Here in Volusia County we have the Domestic Abuse Council where victims can seek help, support, and shelter from violent partners. No human or pet should have to live in fear of violence and if you need help please call the 24 hour Domestic Abuse Council Crisis Line on 1-800-500-1119.

Nobody wants to leave their beloved pets behind.

People may ask why an abused person doesn’t just leave a bad situation but it is not always easy with many factors entering into the decision including fear of leaving the family pets behind or having to take them to an animal shelter. This is where local organization Hush Puppy Haven can help. When an abused person enters the Volusia County Domestic Abuse Shelter, Hush Puppy Haven helps seek good foster homes where the pets of the victim to go while new accommodation is found, usually between one and six weeks, and the pets can then be reunited to go and live with the owner in the new and safe home at that point. Hush Puppy Haven only accepts animals that come through the domestic abuse shelter. If you, or you know someone in a violent home situation where there is an animal involved, and they are not going through the shelter, please see this list of local animal resources where you may also find assistance.

Jen Adams, founder of Hush Puppy Haven (a non-profit 501c3 founded in 2011) says that many of the animals that come out of these abusive situations are very afraid at first due to what they have been through (although they quickly warm up when in the foster home) and also are often not in good health, needing shots, with fleas and worms, and not spayed/neutered. Hush Puppy Haven takes care of those needs while the animals are under their care and gets them back in good shape. They rely on foster homes to house the animals and are always seeking new fosters to come forward for the 1 – 6 weeks time needed to find more stable accommodation for the victim.

Silent victims of domestic abuse.

This is a truly valuable and much needed service to allow the abused person the peace of mind knowing their animal is safe while they escape their bad situation. The sad reality is that often abusers will use the animal as a weapon against the victim, threatening harm, or in fact doing harm to the pet. It is imperative to get pets as well the people out of these horrible situations. Hush Puppy Haven operates on donations from the public and fundraisers like community events, and if you wish to donate to this excellent cause to help a needy animal get the veterinary care and medicines it needs while in foster waiting to start a new and safe life, you can donate at their website www.hushpuppyhaven.org.

Huge emphasis is placed on confidentiality and no information is ever released, including the pet’s name in many cases, to the foster (and vice versa), to protect the identity and location of the victim and the foster.